It’s a good thing that Dr. Soderberg has, for the time being at least, forgotten the chatter about quitting directing. Perhaps he was just having a bad day but whatever the reasoning, it’s clear he’s not abandoning film making just yet and frankly, with the awesomeness of The Informant! opening in a few week’s time, I can’t say I blame him.

Word now is that the good doctor will be directing Knockout, a James Bond-like action film about a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who is given a second chance to use her martial arts skills for good. The doctor isn’t hiring an action star for the role, oh no. Soderberg is pushing the envelope of this Hollywood project closer to the edges of his most recent indie offering by casting Gina Carano, a mixed martial arts circuit fighter, in the lead.

Apparently Soderberg discovered the Muay Thai-trained fighter on the circuit where, with her good looks and talent, she is considered the face of the up-and-coming women’s mixed fighting. Some may also recognize Carano as Crush from the recent “American Gladiators” reboot. I recognize this as something to get excited about.